The City Day celebrations began with the unveiling of “CODE OF CHERNIVTSI,” a large-scale audiovisual art installation projected onto the façade of Yuriy Fedkovych Chernivtsi National University. Over the weekend, one of the city’s most iconic architectural landmarks will surprise residents with a new luminous appearance, while its central building will become a canvas for an immersive journey through the history, culture, nature, and traditions of Chernivtsi.
“CODE OF CHERNIVTSI” is an artistic interpretation and visualisation of the city’s identity — a place where traditions, cultural diversity, freedom of thought, art, science, and education have shaped new meanings across generations. The lighting and audiovisual installation was created by artist and lighting designer Mykola Kabluka, founder and art director of Expolight.
“From the nature of Bukovyna, its cultural layers and historical figures, the show gradually unfolds themes of creativity, knowledge, innovation, and progress. Light becomes a language that connects memory and knowledge, human talent and innovation — the past from which the future emerges,” says lighting designer Mykola Kabluka.
The visual narrative of the “CODE OF CHERNIVTSI” audiovisual art installation is structured as a journey from origins to the future. The story begins with the breathtaking landscapes and nature of Bukovyna, from which architecture gradually emerges. Across its surfaces, cultural layers unfold — layers that have shaped the image of Chernivtsi over the centuries.
The next chapter focuses on the people and ideas that have left behind an intellectual legacy. Yuriy Fedkovych, Kostiantyn Tomaschuk, Olha Kobylianska, Joseph Schumpeter, and Volodymyr Ivasiuk appear before the audience not simply as a gallery of portraits, but through artistic images connected with their creative work, achievements, and ideas.
Gradually, the light installation moves from historical memory towards the themes of creativity, knowledge, innovation, and progress. The final images look towards the future — a future shaped by the ability of different cultures, people, and ideas to interact and come together in pursuit of a shared tomorrow.
The audiovisual art installation “CODE OF CHERNIVTSI” is supported by patrons Yarkovytsia, a construction company, and Taistra Group, a chain of grocery stores and discount supermarkets. The project is being implemented with the support of Chernivtsi Mayor Roman Klichuk and Yuriy Fedkovych Chernivtsi National University.
The project’s unique visual content, created in the format of large-scale 3D mapping, is projected onto the central façade of the Metropolitan Residence — the Metropolitan’s Palace. The art installation lasts approximately six minutes and is presented on a continuous loop.
The historic façades of Yuriy Fedkovych Chernivtsi National University, the roof of the architectural complex, and the entrance gate have also received exclusive architectural lighting.
